Opioid Awareness Coalition

The Opioid Awareness Coalition (OAC) was founded in February of 2019 by UIHS’ Tribal Public Health Department as a monthly community coalition group with UIHS leadership, our Tribal Partners, law enforcement, community partners, cultural leaders, and individuals with lived experience to combat the opioid epidemic in our region.

The Opioid Awareness Coalition (OAC) developed a strategic plan that identified and
prioritized the need for:

  • Cultural activities, Ceremonies, and Sweats
  • Methods to provide education to our tribal and non-tribal communities on opioid
    related topics
  • Utilization of herbs, teas, and salves to address wellness, including traditional and
    pain management
  • Cultural trainings
  • Reducing stigma
  • Alternative pain management options

OAC’s plan includes providing education through:

  • community events
  • youth and elder activities,
  • traditional arts and crafts
  • working with schools
  • social media posts
  • talking circles
  • lived experience presentations
  • sharing data with others

It also highlights the need of:

  • robust prevention activities
  • methods to manage pain
  • effective treatment services
  • ways to prevent opioid overdose deaths within our tribal communities.

OAC meets virtually on the second Friday of each month!

For more information, please call

Tribal Public Health at (707) 825-5070

Team Contact Information

Elise ChampTOR Supervisor

elise.champ@uihs.org | (707) 825-2508

Adam BarryHPE Specialist (TOR)

adam.barry@uihs.org

Bonnie ShermanPeer Specialist/Client Advocate
bonnie.sherman@uihs.org

Julisa FelixHPE Specialist (NTP)

julisa.felix@uihs.org

Amanda ColegroveHPE Manager

amanda.colegrove@uihs.org | (707) 825-4149